Frequently Asked Questions about Eye Health and Surgery
Your eyesight is important, so it’s natural to have questions around eye surgery and health. If our FAQ section doesn’t answer your specific question, contact us for advice.
What do I need for my first appointment?
Please bring with you:
- Referral letter from the optometrist, general practitioner or medical specialist.
- Spectacles and spectacle prescription. If wearing contact lenses, please bring a contact lens case so that they can be removed prior to examination.
- A summary of your medical history, medications and allergies
- Medicare card
- Private health insurance card (e.g. HCF, Bupa, Medibank Private, NIB), Pension card or Department of Veterans’ Affairs (DVA) card.
- Sunglasses to reduce glare after pupil dilation
At Forest Eye Surgery, we strive to give you the utmost care and attention in a timely fashion. Since your first consultation may require extensive examination and tests, expect to stay up to 1.5 hours.
You will be seen by the orthoptist first, who will check your vision and eye pressure, and instil eye drops if necessary. You will then see your doctor, who may order more tests if required.
How should I choose an ophthalmic surgeon?
The most important consideration when deciding on any form of eye surgery, is selecting the most skillful, dedicated and up-to-date surgeon, with the patient as their number one priority.
Ask the following questions:
- Has your surgeon had fellowship training in their chosen field, or are they a ‘generalist’? Where was this training completed?
- Does your surgeon offer to show you their results?
- Can they tell you which risks apply to your case specifically?
- Does your surgeon give you time to discuss and understand your visual needs and expectations prior to surgery?
- Do you feel trust and confidence in their skills and expertise?
- Have they been recommended to you by another surgeon, doctor or optometrist?
- Are they professional when dealing with you – not applying pressure on you to go ahead with the procedure?
- Are their team sensitive, warm and helpful?
What is a cataract? What are the symptoms?
A cataract is a natural clouding of the lens. It is an age-related process that happens to everyone. Most people have some degree of cataract from the age of 60 onwards. Occasionally cataracts can develop in younger individuals who have experienced eye trauma, or have diabetes or other systemic illnesses.
The symptoms of cataract are:
- Blurred vision or poor vision quality
- Glare
- Inability to discern shapes in dim lighting
- Frequent changes in spectacle prescription
The definitive treatment of cataract is surgery, which is performed under local anaesthetic as a day procedure. The results last a lifetime and there are a number of available intraocular lens options that reduce the need for spectacles after surgery.
I want to be free of spectacles and contact lenses. What are my options?
A range of options is available to allow freedom from spectacles and contact lenses. The best option takes a highly individualised approach, taking into account the person’s age, glasses and/or contact lens prescription, the health of their eye, and their hobbies and lifestyle. Not all individuals are suitable for laser vision correction, but for the vast majority, a suitable alternative exists.
What intraocular lens options do I have?
There are a number of lens options available. The best option for you depends on a number of factors including your current prescription, personal preferences and lifestyle. Your surgeon can discuss these with you in more detail.
How to choose an intraocular lens (IOL)?
Choosing the right IOL is an important decision that can significantly influence your post-surgery vision and overall quality of life.
What is a pterygium? Is it dangerous?
A pterygium is a wedge-shaped growth of conjunctiva onto the cornea, the clear window at the front of the eye. It is due to extensive sun exposure, and is commonly seen in people who work outdoors or play a lot of outdoor sports.
A pterygium can grow over the pupil and cause blurred vision. It can also cause intermittent redness and irritation of the eye. Less commonly, a cancerous growth can develop within a pterygium. These cancerous growths need early surgical removal for the best chance of cure.
What is keratoconus? What are the treatment options?
Keratoconus causes progressive thinning of the cornea. The cornea is the clear window at the front of the eye, which focuses light onto the retina. The cornea is normally smooth and dome-shaped. However, in keratoconus, it becomes very thin, irregular, and starts to protrude like a cone. This causes blurred vision that is often not correctable with glasses. Keratoconus usually involves both eyes, however one eye may be more advanced than the other.
Vision can initially be corrected with glasses or contact lenses, but as the condition progresses, these no longer afford good vision, and a corneal transplant may be recommended.
Keratoconus is best detected early, as there is effective treatment available to halt its progression and maintain good vision. This treatment is called corneal collagen cross-linking, which is effective in the vast majority.
Enquire today:
Unit 11, Building 7
49 Frenchs Forest Rd East
Frenchs Forest NSW 2086
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